A Campbell clan chief has lost a row with his MacDonald neighbour over an isolated fishing cabin after the Scottish Government stepped in.
Sir Roderick Campbell had called for planners to condemn a timber frame hut built by Dr Norman MacDonald on land at Lochan Duhb, near Oban.
The cabin, built on Dr MacDonald’s property, sits by the water and enjoys stunning views of the surrounding hills and countryside and can only be accessed by foot or quad-bike.
But the retreat sparked objections from Sir Roderick and his wife Lady Caroline whose estate borders Dr MacDonald’s property.
They said it should be torn down as it posed a safety risk and also disputed Dr MacDonald’s claims he was legally entitled to fish at the spot and insisted they could not be held responsible for any accidents at the site.
Planners at Argyll and Bute Council initially rejected the complaints and allowed Dr MacDonald retrospective permission for the wooden structure last May.
But that decision was overturned following the war-of-words over fishing rights and the cabin was condemned at a meeting of planners in December.
Dr MacDonald turned to the Scottish Government in a last ditch bid to save the cabin that he insisted was strictly for family use and he has now won the day.
He said: “We have had one letter from the Campbell’s stating that if we use the Lochan then they would not be held responsible for any accidents, hardly polite communication.
“Our family has been actively using the hut all summer for its intend recreational purpose and it has been a place of immense pleasure and satisfaction.
“The hut does not encroach onto someone else’s property it is 6ft6 from the lochan and is clearly on our land.”
The Campbells said: “There is now an element of civil dispute and we have tried to communicate politely with the applicant on two occasions but have not received a response from him so that is impossible without throwing money at legal fees.”
They concluded: “It is fundamentally wrong and unlawful that anyone can put up a structure without following procedure.”
Following a site visit government reporter Padraic Thornton ruled the cabin should be allowed to remain in place.
He said: “The small scale development in question is not in conflict with any specific provision in the current development plan.”
